Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a truly unique experience with events tied to real-life holidays, bringing in exclusive items that allow players to customize their island in ways that make every season special. These exclusive items can only be obtained during certain events, and they give the game a fresh and exciting vibe every time they appear in the stores. From unique in-game items to specific items that are only available for a limited time, these events offer something that you won’t want to miss. The thrill of seeing new items pop up for you to buy creates an engaging reason to log in and enjoy the festivities.
I’ve spent many hours diving into these events, and the joy of seeing my island transform with each new holiday-themed addition is unparalleled. The exclusivity of the items really keeps things fresh, and for any dedicated player, it’s exciting to see how each event adds a new layer to the overall game. After a while, it becomes a tradition to look forward to each event, as they help you build a truly personalized space that reflects the best of both the real and virtual worlds.
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Nature Day Lost Its Interactive Element
An Update Took Away Nature Day Events
Nature Day used to be one of the most fun and engaging events in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but it has sadly become a bit disappointing. Originally, players could earn Nook Miles by completing tasks like planting specific flowers, such as Lilies or Cosmos, making the event interactive and rewarding. However, with the 1.9.0 update in 2021, the event was essentially replaced by a cool globe available in Nook Shopping, which doesn’t fit the Nature Day theme as well as a plant would.
The shift from gameplay driven missions to just an item in the shop left many players wishing for the fun missions to return. As an experienced player, I miss how immersive and rewarding the event used to feel, but it’s still nice to see any addition, even if it’s not quite what I hoped for.
Valentine’s Day Is Cute But Boring
There Aren’t Any New Activities On Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a somewhat polarizing holiday, as it doesn’t make a huge impact compared to other events. Players receive letters from Isabelle or villagers with whom they have a high friendship level, containing a chocolate heart or a heart-shaped bouquet. These items can also be sent to others. Brewster joins the fun by serving hot chocolate and sharing holiday-specific dialogue.
However, the exclusive items available in shops are simply the same chocolate-themed gifts players receive in their letters, which makes the event feel underwhelming. From my experience, while the valentines are a cute touch, the lack of significant gameplay changes left me feeling that the event didn’t bring much excitement to my island.
Shamrock Day Offers Fun New Items, But Little Else
Shamrock Day Offers Outfits And Decorations But No Activities
Shamrock Day in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the game’s version of St. Patrick’s Day, bringing festive items to enhance your island. Starting March 10, Shamrock Day items appear in Nook Shopping, including a shamrock doorplate with the Irish word “fáilte” (meaning “welcome”), a shamrock rug, and a green shamrock soda. As the 17th approaches, Able Sisters offers new clothes, such as a shamrock suit, hat, and shoes, allowing players to dress up like a Leprechaun.
There’s also a DIY recipe for a shamrock wand, which can be found in floating balloons during the event. While Shamrock Day doesn’t offer major activities, it brings enough charm and exclusive items to make the holiday special. From my experience, it’s fun to see the unique additions to the shops, though I do wish for a bit more interactive gameplay.
Setsubun Allows Players To Recreate A Japenese Tradition
Setsubun Gives Players Beans To Scatter And Oni Masks To Wear
Setsubun, a Japanese festival marking the end of winter, is celebrated in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with unique cultural items. Players can purchase a bean-tossing kit from Nook Shopping in January and grab an ogre costume and okame mask from Able Sisters during the event, which runs from February 1–3. These items allow players to reenact the traditional Setsubun ritual of throwing roasted soybeans to ward off evil spirits.
Personally, I enjoy how the game captures the spirit of Setsubun by letting players toss beans at each other while wearing the playful oni mask. This festive activity brings a sense of family fun and tradition to the game, making it a memorable and lively celebration.
Players Can Help Cook On Turkey Day
The Turkey Day Event Involves Finding Ingredients For A Feast
Turkey Day in Animal Crossing is a special celebration tied to American Thanksgiving, featuring engaging recipe quests. Players assist Franklin, the turkey chef, in gathering ingredients like fish and clams or borrowing them from villagers. Completing the recipes rewards players with Turkey-Day-themed items such as casserole, chairs, and decorations like a garden stand and a cornucopia. These items can also be purchased from Nook’s Cranny, while Franklin provides special rewards like flooring, rugs, and wallpapers.
This event stands out for its interactive nature and exclusive rewards. From my experience, the Turkey Day quest is the perfect blend of community activity and festive preparation. Collecting ingredients and earning unique Turkey Day items captures the holiday spirit, making it one of the most memorable events in Animal Crossing. It’s always a highlight of the year for me, adding warmth and fun to the game.
Countdown Includes A Wide Range Of Traditions
Newer Items For Countdown Include Global New Year Traditions
Countdown in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the in-game celebration of the New Year on December 31. The event features a countdown clock at Resident Services, signaling the arrival of the new year. Players can enjoy free items like light sticks from Isabelle and party poppers from Tom Nook. A New Year’s hat or New Year’s silk hat is available for purchase, though only one is offered per four-year cycle.
Starting December 22, Nook Shopping showcases items representing global New Year traditions, such as New Year’s noodles from Japan, Berliners from Germany, Spain’s twelve-grape dish, and Russian Olivier salad. The midnight celebration at Resident Services is exciting, but it requires players to be on their Switch at midnight, which can be challenging. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the event, especially the unique international food items, though balancing it with real-life celebrations can sometimes be tricky.
Bunny Day Sends Players On An Egg Hunt
Eggs Are Hidden On The Player’s Island And Mystery Islands
Bunny Day is an exciting Animal Crossing holiday that runs for an eight-day event, ending on Easter. During this time, players hunt for hidden eggs in trees, underground, and in water, with five types of eggs scattered across different locations. These eggs are used to craft Bunny Day items, including exclusive themed furniture from Nook’s Cranny, such as the Bunny Day topiary—a rabbit-shaped hedge holding an egg.
While egg-hunting keeps the event fun and engaging, it can lose its excitement once all Bunny Day items have been crafted. From my personal experience, the egg-hunting aspect feels like a festive tradition, though the thrill fades after completing everything. However, the exclusive items, like the Bunny Day topiary, add a whimsical charm to the island, making it a memorable part of the New Horizons experience.
Toy Day Lets Players Deliver Gifts To Villagers
Toy Day Has More Activities Than Other Holidays And Is Festively Themed
Toy Day is an Animal Crossing tradition that goes all the way back to the first generation of Animal Crossing games. Like in some of the previous Toy Day celebrations, New Horizons features Jingle the Reindeer, who tasks players with delivering presents to villagers. Jingle will reward players for delivering all the gifts to villagers, and villagers with a high enough friendship rating will also give the player a gift in return. The celebration is basically Christmas in all but name and takes place on December 24.
Festivale Has Some Of The Coolest Unique Items
Festivale Includes Interactive Items Like A Confetti Cannon
Festivale, Animal Crossing’s vibrant take on Carnival, is a single-day event that aligns with Mardi Gras, marking the grand finale of the season. In February, players can prepare by purchasing Festivale outfits from the Able Sisters, while villagers dress up to join the fun on the actual day. Nook’s Cranny also stocks Festivale-themed furniture and reactions in the days leading up to the event.
On the day of the event, players collect colorful feathers to trade with Pavé the peacock, who rewards them with a peacock-shaped Festivale float after ten exchanges. The event is known for its confetti machines and dazzling light-up stage, offering some of the most unique and enjoyable items in the game. Personally, Festivale is one of the most exciting events, with its vibrant atmosphere and fun feather-collecting gameplay. The peacock float remains one of my favorite keepsakes from the celebration.
Wedding Season Is Animal Crossing’s Most Involved Event
Players Get Seven Days Of Activities To Do During Wedding Season
Wedding Season is a fun-filled month-long event held every June in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, offering an interactive experience for players. The event takes place on Harvey’s island, where players participate in photo shoots with wedding-themed items sold by Reese and Cyrus, the alpaca couple. Players can set up a wedding party and purchase unique attire like A Shiromuku, Tsunokakushi, and the elegant Hakama, traditionally worn in Shinto weddings.
The event also features wedding decorations available through Nook Shopping, such as the nuptial bell, doorplate, and ring pillow, perfect for completing the theme. Players can carry a flower-petal basket, adding a personal touch to the festivities. From my experience, this event is a highlight, combining creativity with beautiful wedding items that make any island unique. It’s always exciting to see how these items create a festive and elegant atmosphere.
Animal Crossing’s Halloween Event Feels Like The Real Deal
Halloween Is Both Interactive And Well-Themed
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Halloween brings a month-long event filled with festive cheer throughout October. Players can visit Nook’s Cranny daily to purchase candy, which can be handed out to villagers on October 31 in exchange for Halloween-themed items. Tom Nook joins the fun by wearing devil horns, and Jack, the pumpkin-headed czar of Halloween, oversees the festivities.
Players can also buy costumes from Able Sisters and wear them to receive candy from villagers. If candy is refused, a trick is played, and the player gets face paint. This event is known for its strong theming, making it one of the most enjoyable celebrations in the game. Personally, I love how immersive this event is, with everyone from the villagers to Tom Nook embracing the Halloween spirit. It’s always exciting to see their costumes and collect the unique Halloween-themed items.